January 2014

JANUARY 2014 VOICE: An issue of great concern to the Association is the end of the legal moratorium on increasing retiree and survivor health insurance contribution rates.

Within the Municipal Insurance Reform law (Chapter 69, Acts of 2011), our Association was able to secure language that has prohibited many cities and towns from increasing contribution rates on retirees and survivors over the past three years. The moratorium applies to any community that fully implements the provisions of Chapter 69.

JANUARY 2014 VOICE: Active employees turned out in droves for a public hearing on retiree healthcare reform held at the State House on Halloween.

The marathon hearing, before the Joint Committee on Public Service, lasted more than 6 hours. More than five hundred people filled the meeting room, bearing witness to a host of government, retiree and labor officials who testified on the proposal known as H59.

JANUARY 2014 VOICE: As the state legislature begins Round 2 of its two-year session in January, the Association is poised to advance its legislative package.

All eighteen bills, filed by the Association in 2013, have now had a public hearing before the Joint Committee on Public Service. Some have since been released favorably by the Committee and are now working their way through the process on Beacon Hill.

Long History With Walsh

JANUARY 2014 VOICE: Boston Mayor-Elect Marty Walsh is no stranger to Association officials or our members. Dating back to his start in the House in 1997, Walsh showed an interest in the issues important to public retirees.

Over his 16 years in the House, Walsh took a lead role in many key debates involving public pension and healthcare issues. Far from a rubber stamp or an easy “yes” vote, Walsh became known as the broker of compromise between opposing groups.

Since 1968 the Retired State, County and Municipal Employees Association has been the leading voice for Massachusetts public retirees and their families. Join with our 62,000 members as we continue the fight.